Letter

Office of the President
Gold’s Gym-Rivergate
Global Fitness Hldingllc
1056 Wellington Way
Lexington KY 40513


To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in regards to two letters that I have mailed to your company. One was mailed on October 6, 2006 and the second was mailed on February 1, 2007. I received no reply to either letter.

In November 2005 the company I worked for had a health fair in which a representative of your company was a participant. I talked with him in-depth about what was being offered and the requirements I needed. I was born with spina bifida, which impacts my back and hip. I am in constant pain and have had years of physical therapy. I told him I would be interested but I was only permitted to exercise in a pool, as it was easier on my back and hip. At that time your representative told me that he had a gym opening up in the Green Hills area in Nashville in two months that would have a pool. He explained that currently he did not have a gym with a pool. He also explained that the “deal” he was mentioning today would not be in effect in January when the new gym opened up. I figured that I could afford 2 months until the gym in Green Hills opened. I explained to him that at any point my doctor could recommend to me that I stop what I was doing and that he needed to understand that if that occurred I would expect to be released from the contact. He stated he understood this and would have no problems in doing so.

In January 2006 I called and inquired about the Green Hills gym being opened. I was told that there was not a gym in Green Hills opened at that time. Not days after that I fell and injured my knee and had to cut back on all activities so dealing with Gold’s Gym fell on the back burner. Around April 2006 I did email Gold’s gym with a complaint that the Green Hills gym was not yet opened and it was the only reason I had signed up. I got no response. I then mailed out a letter in October after receiving a notice that the automatic debit that I had set up had not cleared. I mailed them back explaining that I was unsure why that had happened but that they had my credit card number and could use it to make the payments. I also requested, at this time, a form for my physician to fill out to terminate my contract with you. I also mentioned the fact that I had been told that a Gold’s Gym would be open in Green Hills and that had not occurred. In response I received a collections notice for the remainder of the contract (approximately $600.00).

In response to this I mailed a second letter in February of 2007 reiterating what I had written in October and requesting, once again, for a form for my physician to fill out. As of this month I have received no reply to this letter.

I am appalled at the lack of customer service on the parts of your organization here in Nashville TN and the devious, unprofessional, and fraudulent way in which they gain membership at their gym’s. I am also appalled by the lack of customer service and professionalism from your corporate office in their lack of response to my letters (of which I have enclosed copies for you).

Upon further research I believe that not only do I not owe you any funds but that the contract was obtained in a fraudulent manner and believe that you owe me a refund of all moneys paid. I believe that at no time was a Gold’s gym in Green Hills “in the works” and that your representative lied during my questioning of him. I also believe that fraud was again committed when I was not given my requested form for a medical release. This was a major concern for me when I talked with your representative about it in-depth because of my health. I believe that your representative had, at that time, no intention of allowing me to be released from my contract due to medical issues. This has been demonstrated twice by the lack of response from your organization in my request to be released out of the contract for medical reasons. I also believe that as an example that fraud was intended was that I received absolutely no mailings, membership card, etc. from Gold’s gym of Nashville.

I also have the intent to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the FTC regarding what I consider fraud committed by your company. You may also be sure that I will be quite verbal with my friends, co-workers and relatives regarding my disappointment and embarrassment in being conned by Gold’s gym.

Sincerely,